DILLON – An Idaho man was sentenced Tuesday in Beaverhead County District Court following a long-term investigation into a case involving the trafficking and commercialization of wildlife parts in Montana.

Yan Fong of Pocatello was sentenced to 10 years with the Montana Department of Corrections with all but 100 days suspended and was ordered to pay a fine of $25,000, as well as court fees. He also lost his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges in Montana and 46 other states for six years.

In 2017 and 2018, Fong unlawfully purchased 11 black bear gall bladders, four black bears, 24 black bear paws, three mountain lions, two mule deer, one elk and seven bobcats in Montana and transported them back to Idaho.

Fong was charged with one felony count of unlawful sale of a game fish, bird, game animal or furbearing animal; and one felony count of unlawful possession, shipment or transport of a game fish, bird, game animal or furbearing animal.

Fong is also facing pending charges for similar conduct in California and Idaho.

Montana game wardens rely on tips from people who observe crimes against wildlife. Anyone with possible information about these crimes is encouraged to visit go.usa.gov/xJTzB to provide details or call the FWP violation reporting hot line at 1-800-TIP-MONT. Callers may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

If you're looking to make a major purchase without the high-interest rate, it's time for a credit score boost. A good credit score opens the door to low-interest lending, better auto loans, and more. A quick way to get this boost is with a credit card. Credit cards improve your credit score in a multitude of ways. Read on to find out how.  

Credit Cards Help You Establish Credit History 

All three credit bureaus gather information about your spending habits and creditworthiness to establish a credit score. A credit card offers you the ability to establish this history. When you pay on time, you're rewarded with an increase in points on your credit score. When you don't pay on time, you lose points. No one knows the exact formula credit bureaus use to calculate a score. What is known is that the following items are considered in creating that score:

• Payment history
• Utilization
• The ratio of payment history to the number of open accounts
• Used credit vs. available credit
• Type of credit usedHard inquiries (Anytime you apply for a credit card using your full social security number, that company requests information from the credit bureaus to verify your application and check your score – this is a hard inquiry.)

Low Credit Utilization is Rewarded with Credit Score Increases 

The fastest way to establish a good credit score is to show good utilization. Credit utilization is the amount of credit used from your credit limit. There are two utilization factors on your credit report, and both factor into your score. One is the ratio of overall credit spent from your total available credit limit. 

The second is the utilization ratio of the credit spent from one single credit card.

Spending too much of your credit (more than 30%) displays risky spending behavior. Banks and finance companies consider this information when deciding to lend to you. It also affects how much they'll lend. Consistently low credit utilization is rewarded with frequent score increases. The opposite is true for consistently high credit utilization. 

Inheriting Good Credit Provides a Score Boost

Yes. You CAN inherit a good credit score. Major credit card companies and some store cards offer an Authorized User option to their clients. This allows them to add an individual to their account. If someone adds you as an Authorized User, you will receive your own separate credit card with either the same credit limit or an adjusted one. 

So how does this increase your credit score?

You inherit the account holder's payment history, credit age, and credit limit. Someone with a $10,000 credit limit and a stellar payment history over ten years can add significant points to your score. However, a person with poor payment history or a young account could cause your score to sink. The key is ensuring the person adding you hasn't missed a single payment. 

By now, you may be wondering if an account holder can add you to more than one account? The answer is yes. Not only can you be added to more than one account, but you could also be added to more than one person's account as an Authorized User. This is a great way to establish a credit history if your score is too low to qualify for a starter credit card. 

On-Time Payments Boost Your Credit Score

One major factor in boosting your credit score is paying your credit card on time – but there is a caveat. If you pay your card to a $0 balance before your credit card company creates your monthly statement, it will report zero utilization to each of the three major credit bureaus. This results in a stale score (aka one that doesn't move much). 

The key is to keep your utilization above zero but under 10% and pay this amount once your statement arrives. 

Note: Although 1% to 10% is the best credit card utilization ratio, anything under 30% is ideal. 

Good Payment History Yields More Card Offers

According to Experian, adding an additional credit card can boost your score by reducing your utilization. However, they warn that you may notice an immediate decrease in your score after applying for a card. The older your credit history is, the better your score. When you apply for a new card, it reduces the age of your credit overall. Therefore, the score slightly decreases when you apply for the new card. But not to worry, this decrease is temporary and will rebound with good payment history and consistently low utilization.  

Credit Cards Build Business Credit Too

Some major lenders offer credit cards for business owners. These cards have much higher credit limits than personal credit cards. If your business is new or lacks revolving accounts, a business credit card is just what you need to help establish history. However, this process could take a few months. If you're in a pinch and you have a stack of unpaid invoices, invoice factoring from a factoring company could help.  

An invoice factoring company purchases your business's invoices – allowing you to make emergency purchases or payments without waiting for your customers to pay up. In some cases, waiting could affect your ability to pay back personal and business credit cards, ultimately tanking both scores. If your business is struggling financially, look into invoice factoring as a solution to keep your credit card payments on track.

Conclusion

As you can see, credit cards – when used responsibly – boost your credit score from many different angles. As long as you maintain a low balance, pay on time, and maintain an increasing age, you'll enjoy the benefits of a low-interest lifestyle. The critical thing to remember here is that late payments tank your score, so ensure all payments are received on time.

If you own a business, this could prove difficult – especially if your customers' invoices are outstanding. Invoice factoring from a reputable factoring company is always an option to avoid late credit card payments.  

What credit score are you aiming for? Would you use a credit card to build your credit score? Leave your comments below — we would love to see what you think.

Kei Braun, an 8th-grade student at Chief Joseph Middle School, Bozeman, Montana, has recently been selected to perform with the National Middle School Honor Band at Carnegie Hall, New York, on June 18, 2022.

Braun will play the alto saxophone during this prestigious 5-day program culminating with the Carnegie Hall performance and states, “It is an incredible opportunity to play on such a world-renowned stage. I am humbled by my teacher’s support and my friends and family assisting me.”

The Carnegie Hall concert on June 18, 2022, includes students from 39 states and Canada. Braun was selected through a rigorous process of teacher recommendation, written essays, and performing audition and is the only student chosen from Bozeman, and as far as is known the only student from Montana.

Mrs. Michel Sticka, Band Director at Chief Joseph Middle School, commented: "I could not be more proud of Kei's accomplishments. He is such a tremendous musician and has worked so hard to receive this opportunity. Kei will be a strong and positive representative of our Band program, our school district, and the entire state of Montana."

Braun’s family has been holding a variety of fundraising activities to help pay for the estimated $5,000 cost to participate including family support, a GoFundMe campaign “Help Kei to Carnegie Hall”, a Bozeman Friends of Music scholarship, a National Honor Band scholarship, and holding a hand-made fudge fundraiser.

College is a good springboard for your future career as you can gain fundamental knowledge and motivation for further action. In addition, the educational process will help you adapt to new challenges and become stronger. But you should choose a good major to interest most employers. For some young people, such a mission will become quite difficult. But don't worry: here are ten relevant college majors that will be important for decades to come.

1. Computer Science

And here is one of the most popular majors, which involves learning programming languages, administering information systems, and databases, and creating digital products. You have to explore the world of digital technology and become part of innovation. But get ready for the fact that your path will be long and thorny. You may even need academic assistance to handle some of the assignments. Luckily, you can always find a writing service and delegate tricky papers. But first, read at least one essaypro.com review to know more about such companies.

2. Information Technology

Get ready to learn information that will help you manage digital products, create new information services, administer web portals, and create media strategies. You won't have to spend much time looking for your first job with such a major. Moreover, employers will certainly offer you a job if you are a talented student.

3. Cybersecurity

The number of websites, information portals, shops, and blogs grows every year. Many companies develop multi-level web solutions to attract new users. But the problem is that hackers regularly try to steal data or damage the network infrastructure of many digital projects. As a cybersecurity specialist, you have to look for backdoors, analyze vulnerabilities and develop web protection packages for websites and databases. Such work will bring you confidence in the future and a good annual income.

4. Nursing

At least until humanity finds a way to implant consciousness into microchips, people need nurses. That is why such a major will allow you to build a successful career caring for people in the hospital. By the way, many American and British nurses earn the same as internists or even surgeons (depending on the state). Surely you will be happy with the prospect of starting a career and not worry about finding a job.

5. Pharmacology

Have you ever thought about becoming part of the pharmaceutical industry? For example, you can participate in the search for new drugs or create antidotes. Pharmacology will be important to humanity for centuries, given the mutation rate of many modern viruses. In addition, you can count on a good annual income, especially if you work in America or Europe.

6. Construction Management

Have you ever dreamed of designing buildings or directing the construction process? Perhaps the Construction Management major is what you need. Get ready to lead a team of designers and build houses that will become a national treasure! But first, you have to go through a long and difficult educational process. You may even need to seek outside help if you can't handle the tricky papers. Luckily, you can always count on writing services like proessays.net. Such companies will help you not to stumble on the way to your dream.

7. Human Resources

The basis of any company is always professional employees. Unfortunately, the search for talented people takes a lot of time. As an HR expert, you will be able to help corporations find young blood and those who are ready to change any industry. Typically, HR professionals can resolve company conflicts and find compromises to improve the microclimate. Such skills will allow you to make good money for decades!

8. Biomedical Engineering

The field of biomedicine is very promising as humanity strives for augmentation and an increase in life expectancy. As a future expert, you will be able to work in bio labs, explore new technologies and implement innovative solutions to overcome any problems of humankind. Bioengineering will be a hot topic in the next century, so you have time to choose this major!

9. Chemical Engineering

Get ready to participate in developing innovative cyber fibers, creating chemical substances for industrial enterprises, and new approaches to the synthesis of resources. This major is critical for any country, so that you will be extremely in demand right after graduation. So you should choose Chemical Engineering, especially if you love chemistry and experiments.

10. Business

As long as the society maintains commodity-money relations, the Business major will be relevant worldwide. Imagine that you learn the skills of negotiating, managing companies, and promotional campaigns. As a future business expert, you will be able to organize a startup or manage a business to maximize profits.

Final Words

All ten of the majors described above are promising and beneficial for young people. But you should concentrate on your skills, dispositions, and interests. Think about what area interests you the most. Sometimes the level of annual income is a secondary factor. In any case, all of the above options will be relevant for many decades.

BOZEMAN — Montana State University’s College of Agriculture is seeking nominations for the Outstanding Agricultural Leader award, which will be presented during the annual Celebrate Agriculture Weekend Oct. 21-22 at MSU.

The award recognizes individuals, families or businesses that have gone above and beyond for the Montana agricultural industry in the realms of public service, advocacy, production or business. Awardees will be honored during the Celebrate Ag breakfast event Oct. 22 ahead of the Bobcat home football game against Weber State.

“Celebrate Ag is a special time for our college and our Montana community. We are excited to welcome our stakeholders, supporters and alumni to campus and honor a new recipient of the Outstanding Agricultural Leader award,” said MSU Vice President of Agriculture and College of Agriculture Dean Sreekala Bajwa.

Last year’s award recipient was Dave Kelsey of Molt, who has operated his dryland farm for more than 40 years, growing small grains and raising cattle. An MSU graduate, he has served as an agriculture teacher and spent decades promoting agricultural education at all levels, while volunteering in his community and lobbying for agricultural issues in Helena and Washington, D.C.

To be considered for the award, nominees must be well respected in their agricultural community with accomplishments that have wide impact; be an industry leader or an upcoming active innovative producer; and be actively involved in the agriculture industry.

Active MSU or government employees are only eligible for the award’s “Friend of the COA/MAES” category. Retired university or government employees will be considered if they have been retired for at least two years and have shown service above and beyond their job description. Nominees who are not selected can be renominated in future years.

The deadline for nominations is Aug. 30 and supporting letters of recommendation are highly encouraged. An online nomination form is at ag.montana.edu/celebrateag/aggie_nomination, and paper copies can be requested by calling the College of Agriculture dean’s office at 406-994-3681. 

Celebrate Agriculture Weekend is an annual event to honor Montana’s agricultural legacy and current and future agricultural leaders, producers and students. Further details for the event will be posted to the Celebrate Agriculture website this summer.

HELENA – Landowners have until June 1 to apply for elk hunting access (EHA) agreements. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ EHA agreements provide landowners with an elk license, permit or combination thereof in exchange for allowing free public elk hunting access. These permits and licenses are valid only on the landowner’s property. 

EHA agreements were codified in Montana statute in 2001. The agreements were known as “454 agreements” reflecting the bill number of the original legislation. The statute was amended several times in the past 20 years, including during the 2021 session.

In general, EHA agreements allow landowners to receive an elk permit or license in exchange for allowing three public hunters on their property. One of the hunters is selected by the landowner from the list of successful permit or Elk B License applicants for the hunting district where the property is located. The other two hunters are selected by FWP from the same lists depending on the opportunities outlined in the agreement.

Application and details on how to apply are located online at fwp.mt.gov/hunt/landownerprograms/public-elk-access-agreements.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission will approve 2022 EHA agreements at their June 23 meeting. The applications proposed for approval will be posted online two weeks prior to the meeting and the commission will take public comments on the applications at its meeting.

Applications must be complete to be considered. For questions, call your local FWP office or contact the FWP Parks and Outdoor Recreation Division, 406-444-3750, LndSportRelations@mt.gov.

BOZEMAN – The Museum of the Rockies will open its new exhibition, “Apsáalooke Women and Warriors,” on Saturday, May 28, with multiple celebratory events. 

The exhibit, which comes to Bozeman from Chicago’s Field Museum, explores the history, values and beliefs of this Native American community known for its horsemanship, artistic pursuits, matriarchal ways of life and its honoring of the tradition of “counting coup” – performing acts of bravery. This special exhibition highlights the art and culture of the Apsáalooke people, also known as the Crow, who are based in south-central Montana.  

Special gallery presentations from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will explore Crow culture in the Museum of the Rockies’ exhibition halls. At 11 a.m., a panel will discuss “Intellectual Traditions: Crow Conversations in Land, Culture and Art” in the Hager Auditorium. Both events are included with admission to the museum. 

At 1:30 p.m., the public is invited to the Apsáalooke Social and Push Dance at the Montana State University Track and Field Complex, located south of Bobcat Stadium. This event is free and open to the public.  

Curated by Nina Sanders and jointly organized with members of the Apsáalooke community, the Field Museum and the Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society at the University of Chicago, the exhibition will feature numerous Apsáalooke war shields, horse regalia, a 9-foot-tall modern tipi reproduction, and more than 20 works of contemporary art including paintings, photographs, beadwork, and fashion.   

The exhibition will be at the Museum of the Rockies from May 28 through Dec. 31. Museum members can access the exhibition early at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 27. Admission is free for members and children under age 5. Ticket prices range from $10.50 to $16.50 for youth, adults, and seniors.  

To learn more about the event and related programming, visit museumoftherockies.org/aww. 

EMIGRANT, Mont.  — The Old Saloon, just 25 miles north of the entrance to Yellowstone National Park, is celebrating its 120th anniversary. The historic and legendary establishment has been serving outlaws and cowgirls since 1902.

The Old Saloon kicks off the celebration with its 6th Annual Testicle Festival Sunday, May 29, 2022. This free event has become a local favorite with cornhole and plenty of dancing.

“We continue to be excited about being stewards of The Old Saloon and look forward to a great year celebrating our 120th anniversary,” says Brett Evje, co-owner and operating partner for the establishment.

There is a stand-out Summer Music Series planned. In addition to weekly music the Headliner ticketed shows are:

June 4: Tylor & The Train Robbers
June 17: Jackson Taylor & The Sinners/Jesse Daniel
June 24: The Steel Woods
July 8: Steve Earle & The Dukes with special guest The Whitmore Sisters — also our special 120th Celebration
July 14: Paul Cauthen
July 15: Jamey Johnson
July 16: Midland
July 17: Shakey Graves
July 27: The Dead South
August 4: Reckless Kelly with Josh Meloy
August 13: Mike and the Moonpies with The Wilder Blue
August 19: Pure Prairie League
August 20: Randy Rogers Band with Wade Bowen
September 17: Marshall Tucker Band

MORE INFORMATION:
Music starts at 7 p.m. / doors 5:30 p.m.
For the full schedule and ticket information: https://www.oldsaloonmt.com/events/

Evje adds, “There was a time when the dining room ran as a separate business called the Livery Stable, but historically it was simply the dining room for The Old Saloon. We will be restoring the front of the building to reflect the former reference. We hope everyone will come out this summer for a good time.”

ABOUT THE OLD SALOON:
Established in 1902, The Old Saloon is a classic western bar and eatery that not only offers great food, cold beer & whiskey but also hosts big name music during the summer and local music all year round.

Road work construction has begun near N Tracy Ave in the alley to begin the stormwater upgrade project. The work will be conducted at alley manholes in select locations from Tracy to Rouse, in that direction. There will be no open excavation trenches. A dewatering hose or two will run down the alleys as necessary for stormwater bypass pumping. The crews will work into the night as necessary to complete the work as expeditiously as possible. Sidewalk pedestrian access will remain open and trash service will be coordinated. Work is expected to be completed by end of the day Friday, May 27th.

Traffic Control Plan